A VILLAGE hall is celebrating getting at Christmas present of its own.

Hambleton councillors awarded Dalton village hall £12,650 for the refurbishment of its 33-year-old kitchen from the authority’s “Making a Difference” scheme.

The funding stream - now in its second year – was established for schemes that make a difference to their local communities.

Each of the five market towns and the surrounding areas – Northallerton, Stokesley, Thirsk, Easingwold and Bedale – takes £25,000 with elected councillors choosing which schemes can be helped.

Th chairman of the Dalton village hall committee, Nick Fletcher, said: “The cash was used to completely refurbish and modernise the kitchen facilities which have been in place since the hall was built in 1983.

“It is hoped that this will increase the use of the hall by the local groups such as the youth football team, senior citizens, mums and tots as well as appealing to a wider audience.”

Council leader Mark Robson said: “It is great to be able to help villages like Dalton with projects that they otherwise would not be able to afford themselves. The grant scheme sees us put money back into community projects.”